He said: “I’ve been an independent trader for the last 12 years and I’ve done it the hard way, with no backers. I re-mortgaged my house to make it happen.

“Like every city we need Nando’s and McDonalds and the other chains because the demand is there. But if that’s all we have we end up looking like everywhere else.

“We need more independents alongside the big names because they’re important for the future of our city, to make us somewhere people want to visit.”

If you find yourself returning to the chains again and again, try our guide below and find something new to tickle your tastebuds...

Like Nando’s?

Try Butchers' Social

If it’s chicken you’re after, look no further. Two chefs, Mike Bullard and Jamie Degosus, have set up shop in the former Walter Smith’s butchers on Harborne High Street, serving beer and wings (plus lots of other tasty things) from Wednesday to Sunday.

The chicken wings are, quite simply, the stuff of magic.

It’s £6 for half a kilo with weekly-changing flavours including salted caramel (it’s a game changer), peppercorn sauce, sticky five spice and kimchi.

Did I mention they also serve excellent local beer and cider, and have a sun soaked back garden with a cocktail bar at the weekends?

Other options: Brum Yum Yum’s KingshEATh monthly market, Chilli Dog Dogs at The Prince of Wales every Friday and Saturday.

The Meatshack is one of the most popular traders at Digbeth Dining Club

Like Wetherspoon’s?

Try Two Towers Brewery

Just off Great Hampton Street, the Jewellery Quarter’s brewery in Mott Street has recently opened its own bar.

It’s a working brewery, not a polished pub, but the real bonus is that punters can sample the goods straight from the source.

Go along on a Friday evening and treat yourself to a Chamberlain Pale Ale, Complete Muppetry IPA, Jewellery Porter, Bhacker Ackhams, Electric Ale, Smith and Pepper or Paradise Lost, from as little as £2.80 a pint.

You can also buy their bottle-conditioned ales to take home with you. Chin chin!

Other options: The Craven Arms in Gough Street or The Wellington and The Sun on the Hill, both on Bennetts Hill.

Other options: Urban Coffee, Faculty Coffee, Six Eight or The Old Crown Coffee Club.

Yorks Bakery Cafe on Newhall St

Like Pizza Hut?

Try The Dark Horse

Once The Cross, this venue near the Moseley crossroads was temporarily Mo Dough before food-centric, live music pub The Dark Horse.

Owners Keith and Diane (from The Prince of Wales) retained the wood-fired oven and now serve Napoli style thin and crispy pizzas (from £7 to £9.50) with various toppings including the No. 50 and the Peaky Blinder.

Other options: The Plough in Harborne, Cafe Opus at Ikon Gallery, and JuJu’s by the Birmingham Canal.

The Lord Clifden

Like Chiquitos?

Try Bodega

One of the first four venues for Birmingham’s Bitters’n’Twisted group (which now runs eight across the city including The Rose Villa Tavern, The Victoria and Marmalade at The Rep), Bodega in Bennetts Hill serves south American street food (nachos, tacos, burritos, burgers, salads, etc.) alongside a gamut of cocktails.

There are no airs and graces here. It’s a relaxed vibe with a focus on rugged, hearty dishes (at the right price).